Jeff Larsen Local 323 President
John ( J.R.) Macon Local 329 President
CENTRAL REGION VICE PRESIDENT • Jim Haggarty, Local 307 • June Harris, Local 306
WESTERN REGION VICE PRESIDENT • Eddie Cowan, Local 303 • Donald Sneesby, Local 316 Vice President, Northeastern Region, David E. Wilkin during a moment of personal privilege
hikes in dues as well as the salaries of the National President and Secretary Treasurer. This is not to say all amendments were blindly approved. Some spirited debate ensued over those in the ULUC. Delegates discussed the pros and cons of approving the ban on pre-signing of checks and the possible expansion of vice presidential duties, among others. The latter resulted in amendments to amendments and proved to be a parliamentary challenge for both the Convention Chair and the Parliamentarian. In between these discussions, delegates watched a video address from APWU President Mark Dimondstein. He spoke about the Grand Alliance formed among the major Postal Unions. “We talk about the Power of You, but we also have to remember the Power of Us. An injury to one is an injury to all, and in our unity lies our strength.”
Thursday, August 25 The fourth day began with yet another video greeting, this one from California Representative Loretta Sanchez. She praised the craft and declared her opposition to the Postal Reform bill as it currently stands. After this, Local 311 Treasurer Roxie Olds-Pride gave an inspiring invocation. President Hogrogian opened with a heartfelt thanks to both the Union and the delegates. “[The] reception you all gave me was overwhelming, and something I’ll remember for my entire life,” he said. He also took a moment to thank his family and to recognize the three generations of Hogrogians in the audience. The Election Committee took the stage next to announce the results of Wednesday’s primary election, with the successful candidates as follows: National Postal Mail Handlers Union
These winning candidates will be on the mail ballot in September and October, together with the two candidates for Eastern Region Vice President. Unlike the primary elections at the Convention in which all delegates participated, the final elections will only occur within the Regions in question. All members in good standing will be eligible and encouraged to vote in their Region. In addition to these two elections, Local 308 President and incumbent Eastern Region Vice President John Gibson will be running against Local 305 President Felandria Jackson for the position of Eastern Region Vice President. No primary election was necessary this week, as there were only two candidates nominated. Not unlike President Hogrogian, the three other National Officers elected by acclamation all took a moment to thank their constituents, their families, and the delegates for their confidence and support. Retiring Vice Presidents Rudy Santos and Jefferson C. Peppers III also took a moment to reflect on their service and thank the delegates. The Convention returned to the remaining constitutional amendments. Ultimately, all recommendations from the Constitution Committee were approved. Delegates also had a chance to discuss and debate those amendments not recommended by the Committee. Among those discussed were the proposed reinstatement of the supplementary dues check-off program, the eligibility of retired officers to run for and hold union office, and a proposed just cause provision for removing stewards. None of these had sufficient support to garner a supermajority of the delegates. One amendment not recommended by the Constitution Committee was successfully passed by the delegates, after it was narrowed and otherwise amended. It was brought to the floor by
June Harris Local 306 President
delegate Ira Edelstein of Local 318, with friendly amendments from delegates Nick Mosezar of Local 318, J.R. Macon of Local 329, and Kerry Scates of Local 329. This amendment concerns the finality of a financial penalty imposed after a trial board hearing. Language was drafted on the Convention floor, and ultimately passed by the required two-thirds vote. As a result, the 2016 edition of the Constitutions will look considerably different than the one that preceded it. Only a handful of these changes are particularly substantial, but they certainly will make for better constitutional documents. The delegates also got a chance to look at the bigger picture when NALC President Fred Rolando delivered a thorough address Thursday morning. Rolando talked about possible postal reform legislation, and how the Unions can assist each other in this fight to preserve the Postal Service. “The grassroots involvement of all our members is so important politically and legislatively,” Rolando said. “Our issues are not Democrat, they’re not Republican; they are American. That’s the type of activism we really need to see.” Rolando discussed that for the first time in history, the Unions were able to come together with the mailers (such as Amazon and eBay) and the Postal Service through the Postmaster General to form a coalition of like-minded organizations. Although members of this coalition have different individual interests, collectively it has been able to agree upon a bill with some basic protections and improvements. After all, everyone in the coalition shares the goal of keeping the Postal Service strong and thriving into the future. “Two things I want to leave you with – one of them is we have adversaries, we’re in a war, but always remember, you don’t have any in this room. We have to come together as a team. Because all the things we do, they don’t mean anything if this company (the Postal Service) doesn’t continue to exist. Second, [w]hatever you do for the Mail Handlers Union, whether you’re an officer or a steward, you are why your Union is strong. Your Union is as strong as it is because of what you do, day in and day out. All the strength and success in the Union comes from what you do everyday.” The Mail Handler | 15